In Memory of

Zenobia

Ann

Stewart

Obituary for Zenobia Ann Stewart

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God

Mathews 5:8


On Saturday, May 7, 1938, the Lord opened a window in heaven and poured out a blessing in the form of a very precious little baby girl. Honored by God to be the recipients of such a precious little angel, Walter A. Wells and Anna Bell Wells were the proud parents of their new daughter, Zenobia Ann Wells. Zenobia Ann, known to most as “Ann,” was the fifth born, of thirteen children. Her siblings are Audrey Clarkson, Robertha Wells, Marcena Hardison, Ernestine McClain, Bethany Bernice Hoggro, Benjamin Harrison-Wells, William Walter Wells, Tommy Wells, Max Quincy Wells, Kenneth Wells, Stanley Wells, and Cynthia Harbour. Zenobia was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Anna Bell Wells, as well as her sisters, Audrey, Robertha and Marcena.

Instilled in Zenobia was an adoration and reverence for God, the importance of family, the value of hard work, as well as respect and positive regard for others. With a high-school diploma from Flagstaff High School in Flagstaff, Arizona, Ann began working as a Domestic at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff. As she gained additional work and life experience, she now stood on the doorstep of adulthood eager to begin her own life’s journey – and what occurred next was the beginning of a beautiful family legacy. Walking down the streets of Flagstaff Arizona, she was pleasantly approached by a handsome and very witty young man named Levester “Lee” Stewart. Introduced through a mutual friend, their courtship of three years materialized into a magnificent marriage and the Lord blessed them with a beautiful family. Zenobia was Mother to Jacqueline Denise Stewart, Melvin Stewart, Virginia Stewart-Cowing, Nicole Stewart, and Neil Stewart. Leading, Teaching, Providing, and Protecting were four characteristics of motherhood that Zenobia embodied completely. As a Leader, she was always out-front setting a sound example for her children by living according to Gods word, as well as devoting herself to doing the Lords work. As a Teacher, she taught her family many life lessons, bestowed great insights, as well as supplied the love and resources which made college and higher education a viable option for all of her children. As a Provider, she toiled selflessly as a homemaker, establishing a stable home and a solid foundation; providing the physical, intellectual and spiritual nourishment necessary for her family to flourish and thrive. As a Protector, she was always ever ready and on guard against all danger, diligent in doing her best to shield her family from the negative aspects of life.


Proverbs 31:25-31

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise…”


Zenobia Ann Stewart, and family, joined St. Mathews C.M.E. Church in Stockton California. As a member of St. Mathews, Zenobia was an active participant on the Usher Board and was also a member of the Senior Choir. She served as an instructor for the Youth Usher Board, as well as held the position of Sunday School and Youth Bible Study teacher for many years. Zenobia was instrumental in establishing the St. Matthews C.M.E. Church, Vacation Bible School Program. She was an officer in the Missionary Society, as well as one of the Founders of the St. Matthews Food Ministry Program, which she helped establish with the help of her husband, Levester Stewart. Zenobia also maintained an exemplary record and performance as a Stewardess within the church.

Zenobia worked as a Certified Dietician at San Joaquin General Hospital and eventually became a Certified Board and Care Home Owner and Administrator. Zenobia was a 50-year member of the The Order of Eastern Star. For many years Zenobia (and Levester) owned and operated an Ice Cream parlor named after her. She also volunteered for organizations such as The Blind Center, in their cloth weaving loom classes, as well as attended every single school and recreational event in which her children participated.

Zenobia Ann Stewart was Grandmother to Nicole A. Stewart aka “Big Nicole,” Undrey Turner, Reginald M. Stewart-Gilchrist, Wayne Cowing, LeAndrew Stewart, Haley E. Stewart, Brianna Perry, Coy Brains, Jada E. Jones, Mia and Malia Shaw, Zenobia Shaw, Zora and Vernell Shaw IV, and Zion Lewis. She was Great Grandmother to Precious and Zenobia Griffin, Royalty and Shekinah Crosby, Ava and Ezra Gilchrist, LeAndrew Stewart II, Mariah Stewart and Lincoln Stewart, Avery, Marcus, Aria and Maddox Rocha, and Callee Perry. She was also “Aunt Ann” to a host of beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. Ann was Godmother to Michelle Rogers, Vonn Shay Guyton, and Charles and Alejandro Aldrich. She was also God-Grandmother to Jemialayia Johnson. Zenobia Stewart loved all children and young adults, and enjoyed nothing more than to offer her knowledge and experience as an instrument to help them achieve their dreams.

She was respectfully regarded as “Mom” by many of the children and young adults who were fortunate enough to know her, and she considered herself to be a surrogate parent to them all. The greatest measure of a woman is not merely calculated by the things that she does in life, but also by the impression that she makes in the lives of those she encounters, the frequency at which her memories flow through their minds, the rate at which her name pours from their lips. This will ultimately prove to be her eternal imprint on the world, the legacy of her, immortalized. And in us all, the memory of Zenobia Ann Stewart shall live on forever. In our mind’s eye, we will always see and adorn your face. We will weep because you are no longer here with us, but we will rejoice because we know that you have gone on to a better place. And while we know that you’ve taken your rightful place in that celestial chorus for the Lord, we will forever hear your sweet and gentle voice singing on in our hearts – we can hear you now, mom, singing one of your favorite hymns…


Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine;

O’ what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchased by God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture, now burst on my sight;

Angels descending, bring from above

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.


To the greatest woman I have ever known. To my mother, my hero, my best friend, Zenobia Ann Stewart. May 7, 1938 to April 8, 2020.

-Neil
(Vernell Shaw III)